12 years ago tonight I caught a purse thief. Red handed. While waiting tables. It’s one of the more brave things I’ve ever done.

We were always told at work to keep an eye out for people with their purses, bags, back packs on the back of their chairs.

At least once a week someone would reach for their bag to pay their check and the bag would be gone. Along with their wallet, passports, ids, money, their life. Their trip was effectively ruined.

It’s a bad day when you watch parents cry because they are from Germany, England, Nebraska, Idaho and everything they need for their trip is in the bag that is now gone.

Every pre-meal started with a reminder to tell your guests to keep their bags in their laps, around the leg of their chair, in sight always.

On March 2, 2010, I was hustling in the cocktail section at work not unlike hundreds of other shifts since I’d worked there. It was turn and burn. Move, move, move. The servers in cocktails would have 22 seats at one time and if you hustled the money was GREAT! It was not for the faint of heart.

So I was moving (for those who know the restaurant it was the section closest to live) and I noticed a gentleman standing around not doing anything.

I asked him if he needed help.

He says he was waiting on someone.

Okay then.

He continues to linger.

I’m headed from service bar to my tables, when I see him swipe the purse.

The woman noticed nothing.

I put down my drinks, tell my coworker to get security, and I catch the guy right in front of service bar.

I put my finger in his chest and tell him to give me the purse.

He opens his floor length coat and shows he doesn’t have it. He pushes past me.

I notice at this point the purse is in the trash at service bar.

I grab the purse and run to the lobby.

Seriously. I Run.

Security has stopped him as I confirm that it’s him. And show them the purse.

They arrest the guy.

The police go in to return the purse to the lady it belonged to.

She still hadn’t noticed it was gone. She is so thankful to have it back. Gives everyone a hug.

I go back to hustling.

The end result was that eventually the DA contacted me at work. That’s fun when the NYC DA calls your employer and says they are trying to locate you.

Eventually I go to grand jury court and testify.

He was convicted as a previous offender.

Meanwhile back at the restaurant.

The young lady spend the next couple of hours eating and drinking.

She eventually pays. And leaves.

And tipped.

Nada. Zilch. Zero. Nothing. Total stiff.

$00.00

Hmmm.

I still can’t walk by a chair at work with a purse hanging off the back without wanting to tell people to move them. But then I remember I’m in a coastal New England town. Speeding and Zumba classes that are fronts for high end call girls is about as dangerous as it gets here.